For a home with a three-phase supply, an 11kW EV charger is usually the right choice: it fully charges almost any EV overnight, installs with a simple grid notification in many EU countries, and pairs cleanly with solar. The 22kW model makes sense in two cases: if your car can accept 22kW AC on a three-phase supply, or if you have a single-phase home and want the higher 7kW single-phase charging that the 11kW model does not offer. Faster on paper does not always mean faster in your driveway.
This guide compares the two honestly: real charging speeds, what your car can take, the EU connection rules, and how each works with home solar, so you do not overpay for power you will never use.
Key Takeaways
- 11kW adds roughly 50–60 km of range per hour, enough to fully charge most EVs overnight.
- Most EVs accept up to 11kW on AC, so a 22kW charger adds speed mainly for the cars that can use it. Even on a single-phase connection, the 22kW model still delivers up to 7kW for smooth overnight charging.
- In Germany, ≤11kW needs only a grid-operator notification; since §14a EnWG (Jan 2024), 22kW can no longer be refused but may be throttled at peak times.
- Both Deye wallboxes charge from solar, grid, or a portable source and prioritise your own solar to cut costs.
- Choose 11kW (SUN-EVSE11K01) if you have a three-phase supply and a standard 11kW car. Choose 22kW (SUN-EVSE22K01) if your car supports 22kW, or if you currently have a single-phase grid but want to unlock higher 7kW single-phase charging while staying future-proof for a three-phase upgrade.
The honest answer: your car decides first
A wallbox can only deliver what the car's onboard AC charger accepts. This is the single most misunderstood point in EV charging.
- Many EVs accept a maximum of 11kW on AC.
- Some accept only 7kW (single-phase or limited onboard charger).
- A smaller number of premium EVs accept the full 22kW on AC.
So a 22kW wallbox connected to an 11kW car still charges at 11kW, and the extra headroom simply stays in reserve for a future car that can use it. Before comparing chargers, check your car's onboard AC charging spec, not its DC fast-charging figure, which is a different system.
Charging speed: what 11kW vs 22kW means in range
Here is what each power level adds, in rough terms:
| Charger | Power | Approx. range added per hour | Full charge (60 kWh battery) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-phase | 7 kW | ~35–40 km | ~8 hours |
| 11 kW three-phase | 11 kW | ~50–60 km | ~5–6 hours |
| 22 kW three-phase | 22 kW | up to 150 km* | ~3 hours* |
*Applies when the car accepts 22kW AC, which today is mainly premium models.
The practical takeaway: 11kW already refills a typical EV overnight. You plug in at 22:00 and wake to a full battery. Doubling to 22kW shortens that to a few hours, which is useful only if you regularly need a fast mid-day top-up and your car can use it.
The EU rules: notification vs approval
Connection rules differ by country, so confirm with your grid operator. Germany is the clearest example:
- Up to 11kW: you only need to notify the grid operator (handled by your electrician). No approval wait.
- Above 11kW (22kW): traditionally required explicit approval (Genehmigung). Since §14a EnWG took effect on 1 January 2024, grid operators can no longer refuse a 22kW connection. In exchange, they may temporarily throttle controllable wallboxes during grid stress. These interventions are limited to short periods, and a minimum of about 4.1kW (6A) must always remain available.
That trade-off is worth understanding: a 22kW charger is now easier to connect than before, but it is not guaranteed to run at full 22kW at all times. For most households, the simpler ≤11kW notification path avoids the question entirely. Always check your own national and local operator rules, as implementation varies.
Solar charging: where Deye wallboxes earn their keep
Both Deye Smart Wallbox models are built to charge your EV from your own solar, not just the grid. Shared features:
- Multiple charging sources: solar inverter, grid/mains, or a portable outdoor power source.
- Solar priority: automatically captures excess solar to charge the EV, prioritising free solar over expensive grid power.
- Native Deye integration: works directly with Deye hybrid inverters as one system.
- Protections: OVP, UVP, OLP, SCP, earth-fault, and Surge type II.
- Communication: LoRa (with the SUN-SMART-TX01 transmitter), Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, all controlled from the Deye Cloud app.
This is the real reason to choose a solar-aware charger: charging an EV is the single biggest flexible load in most homes, and pointing it at your own midday solar is the cleanest way to cut running costs. Pair it with a wireless CT and the system can charge mainly from surplus solar.
Case 1: Overnight charger. A commuter drives ~50 km a day and charges at home each night. An 11kW SUN-EVSE11K01 refills that in under an hour, and solar-priority scheduling tops up the rest from the panels on weekends. An 11kW unit already covers this comfortably, so 22kW offers little extra in this case.
Case 2: Two-car, three-phase home. A household with a three-phase supply and a car that accepts 22kW occasionally needs a fast daytime turnaround between trips. Here the 22kW SUN-EVSE22K01 earns its place, and §14a throttling rarely bites outside peak hours.
Specs side by side
| Spec | SUN-EVSE11K01 | SUN-EVSE22K01 |
|---|---|---|
| Max output (3-phase) | 11 kW @16A | 22 kW @32A |
| Max output (1-phase) | N/A | 7 kW |
| Nominal voltage | 230V x 3 (400V) | 230V x 3 (400V) / 230V |
| Connection | 3L+N+PE | 3L+N+PE / L+N+PE |
| Connector | IEC 62196 Type 2 | IEC 62196 Type 2 |
| Cable | 5 m | 5 m |
| Comms | LoRa / Wi-Fi / BLE | LoRa / Wi-Fi / BLE |
| Protocols | OCPP 1.6, Modbus TCP | OCPP 1.6, Modbus TCP |
| IP rating | IP66 | IP66 |
| Operating temp | −40°C to +55°C | −40°C to +55°C |
| Best for | Three-phase homes with a standard EV | 22kW-capable cars, or single-phase homes wanting 7kW and future-proofing |
⚠️ The 11kW and 22kW models have different power outputs and installation requirements. Note that both models feature a robust IP66 weatherproof rating and come with a 5-meter charging cable as standard. Verify your home's electrical setup, particularly whether you have a three-phase supply, before choosing.
Will it work for your home? Checklist
- Car's AC limit: 7, 11, or 22kW? This caps everything.
- Electrical supply: the 11kW model strictly requires a three-phase connection. If your home only has a single-phase supply, the 22kW model is actually your best upgrade path, as it can flex down to deliver a powerful single-phase 7kW charge (which a three-phase-only 11kW model does not support).
- Daily distance: under ~80 km/day is comfortably covered by 11kW overnight.
- Solar: a solar-aware charger lets you run the car on your own panels.
- Local rules: confirm notification vs approval with your grid operator.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 22kW charger twice as fast as 11kW? Only if your car accepts 22kW on AC. Many EVs accept up to 11kW, so on those cars both chargers reach the same speed.
Can I install a 22kW charger at home? You need a three-phase supply, and in Germany §14a EnWG means it cannot be refused but may be throttled at peak times. Check your operator.
Can these chargers use my solar power? Yes. Both Deye wallboxes prioritise excess solar and can also draw from the grid or a portable source.
Do I need the smart transmitter? It is required for LoRa communication with other Deye smart devices; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth work without it.
Conclusion: match the charger to your supply and your car
If your home has a three-phase supply and a standard EV, an 11kW wallbox is usually the smart choice: it charges your car overnight, connects with a simple notification in many EU countries, and pairs perfectly with home solar. Choose the 22kW model if your car accepts 22kW, or if you live in a single-phase home and want to maximize your charging speed at 7 kW while keeping your installation completely ready for any future three-phase grid upgrades.
Whichever you pick, choose a solar-aware charger so your car runs on your own roof, not the grid.
Compare the chargers: see the 11kW SUN-EVSE11K01 for three-phase homes, or the 22kW SUN-EVSE22K01 if your car supports 22kW or you want 7kW charging on a single-phase supply.
